Melbourne to celebrate food and wine in style

Putting together your 2026 food calendar?

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival returns next year with a Greek-themed "World’s Longest Lunch", a Cake Picnic and some top culinary talent heading to Victoria. 

The festival will run from March 20-29 with events being held across the state. 

"There is so much to be excited by in the 2026 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, presented La Trobe Financial,” said Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO of Food + Drink Victoria, the not-for-profit parent company behind MFWF and a very keen promoter of the event's sponsor. 

“I’m thrilled that the 2026 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival program features an incredible special events program with 170 events across Melbourne, alongside our regional special events program, bringing 26 events to towns and regions across Victoria.

"Our final weekend has us back at Fed Square, where Melbourne’s best bakers and patissiers will be on show at our fourth and supersized Baker’s Dozen. 

"For 10 days in March there will be nowhere better to eat and drink in the world."

The party kicks off with the return of "World’s Longest Lunch" (above), celebrating Melbourne's Greek community. 

This sees 1,600 guests sitting down to a three-course meal, across more than 600 metres of table.

"The 2026 program includes guests making their way to Melbourne from Mexico City, Manila, Chiang Rai, Valetta, London, New York City, Singapore, Paris and beyond," says MFWF creative director Pat Nourse. 

“They’re cooking in fine-dining restaurants and in pubs, serving food on china plates on damask cloths, and straight out of restaurant windows, doing it savoury, sweet, spicy and everywhere in between." 

For details and ticket sales visit mfwf.com.au. 

Vancouver puts on the culinary glitz

Vancouver is one of the most spectacular cities in North America. It has a great food and drink culture and has the advantage of being in Canada, rather than its belligerent neighbour. 

If you are heading to British Columbia early in the new year be sure to check out Dine Out Vancouver, Canada’s largest food and drink celebration, which will return for its 24th year. 

Destination Vancouver has announced that foodies can enjoy 19 days of feasting fun from January 21 to February 8, 2026. 

The Dine Out Vancouver Festival (DOVF) is an opportunity for visitors and locals alike to celebrate the city's culinary scene. 

Diners can look forward to a line-up of special menus from local chefs, unique culinary experiences, and a schedule of tasty events. 

The 2026 DOVF will showcase more than 400 restaurants from the North Shore to downtown, through Richmond and beyond, dishing up menus in fixed price points ranging from $25 to $70 per person.

Guests can also enjoy exclusive menus from Michelin-starred restaurants Burdock & Co. and Published on Main for $110.

The Dine Out Vancouver Festival will feature more than 30 ticketed dining events, including a three-course dinner in one of Rocky Mountaineer’s luxury rail cars at the Rocky Mountaineer Station. 

There will also be the “Chowder Cup”- a competition where chefs can showcase their creativity by featuring a sustainable seafood ingredient to win over a panel of judges. 

Also think events like a Sea Foraging Adventure. a Chinatown Walk, Talk and Dim Sum and a Grand Mezcal Tasting Event. 

Participating downtown Vancouver hotels will be offering up to a $250 Prepaid Mastercard with a two-night hotel stay, or a $75 Prepaid Mastercard with a one-night hotel stay (terms and conditions apply).

As the official airline of Dine Out Vancouver Festival, Air Canada will be offering discounted fares. 

For more info see https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/attractions/.

Popular Hunter wine festival off the menu for 2026

 

Lovedale Long Lunch, one of the most popular food and wine festivals on the Hunter Valley calendar, will go into a hiatus next year. 

 

After 31 years, the event is being reimagined and will return with a new format in 2027. 

The Lovedale Long Lunch is the Hunter’s longest running food and wine event. 

It is a progressive lunch that sees some of the Hunter’s leading chefs team up with six of Lovedale’s best wineries to offer guests wine, food, and live entertainment. The 2025 in May event attracted more than 10,000 people.

Wineries including Allandale, Emma’s Cottage, Gartelmann, Tatler, Sandalyn Estate, Saltire Estate, and Wandin have hosted thirsty and hungry festivalgoers over the years. 

This decision comes as part of a strategic re-engineering process to align the event with evolving consumer trends. The organisers are taking an opportunity to re-think and refresh the experience. 

“We are incredibly proud of the legacy of the Lovedale Long Lunch and grateful for the amazing support from our community, sponsors, and visitors over the past three decades,” said Matt Dillow from Gartelmann Wines. 

“While the event will not take place in 2026, we are excited about the opportunity to develop a new format that better meets the changing tastes and expectations of our audience.”

Organisers acknowledge this news may disappoint many loyal guests who have made the Lovedale Long Lunch part of their annual calendar. 

Attendees are encouraged to stay connected via the event’s website and social media channels for the latest updates as plans for the re-imagined experience unfold.

See https://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au

Berlin makes a stand for freedom

Berlin, for so long a city divided, is taking a stand against authoritarianism with Berlin Freedom Week in November. 

More than 35 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the German city says it will be "giving freedom fighters and prominent democrats from all over the world" a stage. 

Berlin Freedom Week will run in the German capital for the first time from November 8-15 - with over 70 events at over 30 locations throughout the city with The Berlin Freedom Conference on November 10 in the Schöneberger Gasometer (top image) on the EUREF campus the centrepiece of the event. 

Numerous international guests are expected to attend, including civil rights activists, researchers, media professionals and politicians.

Berlin Freedom Week will focus is on the special significance of freedom for Berlin, as well as the topic in the current global context.

The patron of the event is the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner. The entire program of events for Berlin Freedom Week is available at berlin-freedom-week.com.

Guests will include the Ukrainian Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk, the Russian journalist and civil rights activist Vladimir Kara-Mursa, Ben Hodges, former Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces in Europe, and the Director of the German Economic Institute, Professor Dr Michael Hüther. 

Speakers from the World Liberty Congress include the President and renowned Iranian journalist and human rights activist Masih Alinejad and the Venezuelan politician and freedom activist Leopoldo López. Tickets for the Berlin Freedom Conference can be booked via this link.

A mobile stage will stop each day at central and symbolic locations with a program of stage performances, film screenings, audio installations and interactive elements. 

The centrepiece is the 1:1 replica of the Freedom Bell, which was donated to West Berlin by US citizens in 1950 and ceremoniously hung in Schöneberg Town Hall. 

Three weekends of wine fun in Orange

 

So you'd like to try some of the finest best cool-climate wines from the NSW Central West? The Orange Wine Festival runs over three weekends to give everyone a chance to enjoy the best of the region. 

The festivities run from October 17 to November 2 with with 40+ events across the three weekends.

Orange is 3.5 hours from Sydney or Canberra (if the traffic is kind).

Signature events are kick started by the Night Market in Robertson Park on Friday evening, where the best of the Orange Wine Region and food from local eateries will be on offer under canopy

Sip & Savour, billed as "The Ultimate Wine Tasting Event" will be held at the Agricultural Pavilion, Orange Showground on Friday, October 24 and offers a chance to taste all the 2025 Orange Wine Show winners all in one place. With over 300 wines on show, this is not your usual Friday night drinks.

Other standout events include Nonna's Long Lunch at Highland Heritage on Sunday, October 19, an Intimate Winemakers Dinner at Orange Mountain Wines on Saturday, October 25, and the Tamburlaine Mediterranean Feast on the same day.

Harvest at Hillside Harvest is on this Saturday, while Tour and Taste with the Winemaker at Cargo Road Wines runs on October 18, 23, 30 and November 1.

Purple Pinot Party is at Stockman's Ridge Wines on October 25, while Blues in the Barrel Shed at Heifer Station Wine is on the same day, as is Slow Wine Co vs France.

Round out the festivities with a Watercolour Workshop at Mortimers Wines on Saturday, November 1.

Book your events at over 30 cellar doors before your top picks disappear.

Coonawarra kicks off a month-long wine party

 

The entire month of October is a time of celebration in the Coonawarra wine region.

October sees the return of the Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations - a month-long festival dedicated to showcasing and celebrating Coonawarra’s renowned flagship variety cabernet sauvignon.

Running until October 31, the festival features more than 50 events hosted by wineries and cellar doors across the region. 

From intimate tasting experiences to family-friendly activities, live music, and indulgent long lunches, this year’s program is truly diverse.

“Eventgoers can expect a diverse and dynamic program ranging from family-friendly entertainment to indulgent fine-wine experiences," says Heidi Guyett, Coonawarra Vignerons Events and Marketing Officer. 

"From hands-on workshops and high-end dinners, to relaxed family days on the lawn, the celebrations are about more than just wine - they’re about community, discovery and connection. 

"The event draws visitors from across the country who come to explore the wines, the people and the places that make Coonawarra unique.” 

Among the events to feature in this year’s program is Raidis Estate’s Murder in the Vines – Mystery Dinner, blending theatrical fun with the history of Coonawarra. and the Woof & Wine Walk, combining activities for mans best friend and wine lovers alike.

“Aside from tasting the exquisite wines of the region, visitors will have the opportunity to dine and 
meet with winemakers, viticulturists and boutique winery owners, go behind the scenes in the winery and even sample wines that are yet to be officially released, all the while learning about the process and the passion that goes into Coonawarra’s famed wines,” Guyett said.

The festivities will open in with the ever-popular Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day on October 3.

The Labour Day long weekend that follows sets the scene for a family fiesta, with live music, wood-
fired pizzas, outdoor cinema, lawn games and country hospitality. 

At Zema Estate, Mrs Zema’s homemade pizzas are on the menu served up with live tunes, while Hollick Estate will transform its vineyard into an open-air cinema, screening the Broadway hit Wicked under the stars.

Check out the festival page on the Coonawarra.org website. 

All change for Taste Great Southern

One of Western Australia's leading culinary festivals, Taste Great Southern, will return in 2026 with new dates and a refreshed program. 

To run from Thursday, March 5 to to Sunday, March 8, the festival will once again spotlight the flavours, people, culture and landscapes of the Great Southern - one of Australia's most remarkable, and remote, food and wine regions.

The 2026 festival will shift from its traditional May slot to early March - a move designed to align with the region's peak seasonal bounty and offer visitors a more immersive experience.

“For over 20 years, Taste Great Southern has created vibrancy and excitement in the region, injected millions into its economy and supported local businesses by highlighting the many world-class wine and food offerings found throughout the Great Southern,” said WA Tourism and Great Southern Minister Reece Whitby MLA.

“With a refined program and a new date set to take place during Albany's Bicentenary, next year's festival will not be one to miss, making it the perfect reason for visitors to plan a road trip and explore the Great Southern region."

Organisers explained the date change.

“With an abundance of late-summer produce, including an array of seafood and the beloved Albany rock oysters, longer golden evenings, and generally warmer weather, March is the perfect time to explore the Great Southern,” said festival director Erin Molloy of AHOY Management.

“The new timing also gives travellers the opportunity to enjoy a food-filled regional escape ahead of the busy Easter period - when the calendar's a little clearer, and the landscapes are still bursting with energy.”

Held annually since 2004, the festival brings together award-winning chefs, winemakers, producers, artists and storytellers. I've attended and it is a great event. Events span Albany, Denmark, Mount Barker, Frankland River, Katanning, and Porongurup. 

Returning favourites on the 2026 program include the much-loved Tides of Taste at Maitraya Private Retreat, which will feature a fresh line-up of top homegrown and visiting chefs, along with a re-imagined coastal feast celebrating land and sea. 

Also making a comeback is the Denmark Wine Hop, where guests can journey between cellar doors to sip and savour the best of the region in one afternoon.

The full program, featuring returning favourites and exciting new additions, will be released later this year at www.tastegreatsouthern.com.au.

Vietnam has a new showpiece events venue

Hanoi has a new showpiece venue with the launch of the Vietnam Exposition Center, which will host major events in the Vietnamese capital.

The new building in the Đông Anh District was opened by the exhibition "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness."

The event brought Vietnam's history, its people, and recent achievements to life, drawing tens of thousands of visitors in the opening week.

The inauguration coincided with a series of major projects marking the 80th National Day of Vietnam on September 2.

Not only is it the largest facility of its kind in south-east Asia, covering nearly 90 hectares, but it also stands as a symbol of Vietnam, a nation that endured decades of war and hardship yet has risen to enjoy remarkable economic growth.

The Center will host conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events - helping fuel Vietnam's MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism sector.

It provides easy access to Nội Bài International Airport and major transportation routes - making it convenient for both domestic and international guests.

The upcoming launch of the Tu Lien Bridge - a key infrastructure project spanning the Red River - will provide a fast connection between the city centre and the exhibition complex.

One highlight is the Kim Quy Exhibition Hall, with its flowing dome inspired by the "Golden Turtle" (Kim Quy) of Vietnamese folklore.

The venue is projected to welcome up to 60 million visitors each year.

How to enjoy a spring taste of Orange

 

Sydney wine lovers should make a diary date for a spring visit to Orange, one of the liveliest towns in New South Wales. 

The Orange Wine Festival returns from October 17 to November 2, celebrating the Central West region’s cool-climate wines and vibrant food scene across across three weekends. 

More than 40 events are on a program packed with long lunches, wine-paired dining experiences, tastings and workshops. 

Visitors can meet the makers and uncover culinary and vinous pairings while enjoying Orange in bloom. 

The event is a celebration of wine, food and discovery that’ has been dubbed 'A Drop Above.'

Signature festival events include the Opening Night Market on October 17 in Robertson Park and Sip & Savour on Friday, October 24 -  a wine tasting experience featuring all the winners from the Orange Wine Show.

The Vintners Table Series will run on the weekend of October 25-26 with intimate lunch and dinner experiences hosted by some of the Orange region's best winemakers and chefs. 

See https://www.orange360.com.au/Events/Orange-Wine-Festival-2025 for full details. 

Coonawarra vignerons hit the road - and the water

For over two decades the winemakers of Coonawarra have been hitting the road to show off their wares in various state capitals.

In just a few weeks’ time Coonawarra’s producers will be setting off on the 2025 Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadshow - the 22nd instalment of the event, which has seen over 15,000 wines poured at 120 showcases across the country since 2003.

To be held in major centres across the east coast of Australia, and Adelaide, the 2025 event series will see up to 24 producers travelling from the famed terra rossa soils of Coonawarra in regional South Australia, to bring wine lovers the best of the wine region. 

This metro tour follows a successful regional Victorian Roadshow showcase this past June, which achieved sold out events in Ballarat, Geelong, Hamilton and Warrnambool.

Attendees will be spoilt for choice with anywhere between 120 and 160 wines featuring on the wine lists at the various events with a range of varieties and styles up for tasting.

One of the standout events of the 2025 Roadshow is set to take place in Sydney on Sunday, August 31, with the Coonawarra wine region taking to the water aboard the luxurious Starship Sydney on the Sydney Harbour. 

Organisers are revitalising the experience this year with a relaxed Sunday afternoon session, pairing iconic views with iconic wines.

“We are super excited to bring a fresh take to our Sydney showcase,”  said Heidi Guyett, Coonawarra Vignerons events & marketing manager.

“A Sunday afternoon cruise on Sydney Harbour, matched with incredible wines and conversations with our winemakers - we can’t think of a better way to experience Coonawarra in the city.”

See https://coonawarra.org/coonawarra-wine-tasting-roadshow-2025/

Wine, weddings, parties, anything in Western Australia

Take an American and a South African. Drop them in Western Australia and watch them build a thriving wine business and cellar door, a spirits brand and luxury accommodation.

Ampersand Estates, co-owned by friends and business partners Melissa Bell and Corrie Scheepers, offers wine and events in the Pemberton region of south-west Western Australia.

It is home to three spacious luxury accommodation options surrounded by vineyards, native forest and wild kangaroos.

The Homestead sits on the Donnelly River and has five king-sized bedrooms, each with en suites. The Vintner’s Residence is on a hilltop, overlooking the vineyards and surrounding forest – it also boasts five king-sized bedrooms with en suite bathrooms.

The Settler’s Cottage is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom configuration, adjacent to the lakeside cellar door.

A private in-house chef is available to cater for gourmets and in-house guests also have a weather guarantee.

From July through September, guests staying at Ampersand Estates will enjoy bottomless Ampersand wine - every time it rains.

There is also a Winter Escape package where guests stay three nights and pay for two.



Bell and Scheepers have reinvigorated the former Donnelly River Winery, the oldest winery in the region.

Ampersand is promoted as a "harmonious convergence of premium wines, luxury accommodation, gourmet culinary delights, unique spirits, and the breath-taking natural beauty of Western Australia". 

The property hosts events and weddings, as well as wine lovers.

The wine range includes chardonnay, syrah, rosé, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc - exported to Singapore - while the Rainfall Distillery produces a range of spirits, specialising in gins and vodkas.

Pemberton is 3.5 hours’ drive south of Perth and 40 minutes east of Margaret River region.

Part of the Southern Forests wine region, the Pemberton region boasts six cellar doors and is the Southern Hemisphere’s black Perigord truffle epicentre - producing up to 85% of the annual harvest.

I haven't tried the wines or the spirits yet - but I will report back.  

See www.ampersandestates.com.au

Coonawarra vignerons to raid their cellars for back vintages

Coonawarra vignerons will be scouring their cellars for older gems when the annual Cellar Dwellers festival returns next month. 

Coonawarra’s wineries are inviting wine lovers to discover treasures from their cellars with back vintage drops and special museum-release wines on offer for tasting during the July event. 

Among the activities to feature this years are themed wine trails, winemaker brunches, lunches and dinners, daily slow-cooked food pairings, behind-the-scenes winery tours, and intimate fireside tastings.

“Cellar Dwellers offers something truly special - you’re not just tasting wine, you’re experiencing the history and heart of Coonawarra," says Heidi Guyett, events and marketing officer for Coonawarra Vignerons. 

"Whether it’s sipping a beautifully aged vintage rarely seen outside the region, sharing a meal with the winemaker who crafted it, or enjoying a relaxed afternoon by the fire with a glass in hand, each event offers a genuine connection to the place and the people behind the wines. 

" It’s a chance to slow down, savour the stories in every bottle, and discover what makes Coonawarra so unique. Whether you're a seasoned wine lover or just starting your journey, there's something here for everyone.  

“The cornerstone of the event is the opportunity to taste treasured back-vintage wines from our 
cellar doors, offering a rare chance to compare them with current releases. It’s all designed to showcase the depth and warmth of our region - one sip and one story at a time.”

The Cellar Dwellers Back Vintage Tasting Showcase will be held on Friday, July 18, bringing together up to 15 Coonawarra producers to showcase their older wines.

“It’s a special evening where wine lovers can taste up to 30 aged wines from a collective of Coonawarra producers -all under one roof, for one night only," says Guyett. 

"This walk-around tasting is a rare chance to explore the evolution of both red and white varieties, from riesling and chardonnay to merlot, shiraz and, of course, our iconic cabernet sauvignon." 

A full list of the wines being showcased is available on the coonawarra.org website.

For those wanting to make a night of it, Guyett recommends rounding out the experience with dinner at the award-winning Pipers of Penola. 

Full event details here: https://coonawarra.org/cellar-dwellers-july-2025/

Image: Tasting at Zema Estate

The Yarra celebrates winter

The Yarra Valley celebrates winter over two weeks in late June and early July. 

Fireside Festival - Yarra Valley, running from June 27 to July 13, features a series of events over one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions. 

Events range from open-fire feasts and bold winter reds to immersive masterclasses and fun tastings. 

Fireside Festivalbrings together 20+ Yarra Valley wineries and venues in a two-week winter celebration of wine, warmth and regional hospitality.

Whether you're looking to highlight regional food and wine experiences, emerging trends in cool-climate wine, or the growing visitor appeal of winter in Victoria’s wine country, Wine Yarra Valley promises something for every taste. 

The full program is live at: wineyarravalley.com.au/fireside

Events to help warm up Tasmania's winter

The Dark Mofo festival, which started last week, kicks off a series of winter events right around Tasmania. 

Still coming up during the Off Season: music festivals, light shows, whisky and a celebration of chocolate 

The Festival of Voices runs from June 27-July 6 in Hobart celebrates community singing in the heart of winter. Gather round the bonfire for a singalong, connect with Tasmania’s creative community, and take advantage of discounts when booking multiple events. Discover Tasmania: Festival of Voices

Permission to Trespass runs from July 1-31 showcases private properties across Wynyard and Table Cape, sampling regional delicacies over long-table lunches, creative workshops, and Moonlight Stories at Table Cape Lighthouse. Discover Tasmania: Permission to Trespass

Bicheno Beams is held from June 28-July 19 and is an annual gathering  that lights up this relaxed east coast town with technicolour family-friendly festivities. Listen to music composed especially to accompany the laser-light show across the Bicheno skyline. Discover Tasmania: Bicheno Beams

Tasmania Whisky Week Running from August 2-10, this is a treat for lovers of fine spirits, offering access to some of the state's award-winning whiskies. Discover Tasmania: Whisky Week

Beaker Street Festival runs from August 12-19 and is an annual festival of art and science. It is promoted as a "fusion of fun, flavour and learning" where attendees can dive into scientific debates, installations, tours, dinners, live theatre and music. Discover Tasmania: Beaker Street

Also check out the Whole Hog Feast at Lebrina on August 9,  the Burning of the Canes on June 21 at Eastford Creek Vineyard, the Lightwave festival at Nubeena on July 11-13, the Tassie Scallop Fiesta |at Bridport on August 3 and the Chocolate Winterfest in Latrobe on August 10.

For a full listing of Tasmanian itineraries, and information on travelling to Tasmania, visit the Discover Tasmania website www.discovertasmania.com.au.

Discover warming winter treats at Yalumba

Winter may have arrived but there is still a busy calendar for wine lovers at one of the Barossa's most popular destinations.

Yalumba's historic Wine Room is ready to welcome visitors indoors for a season of warmth, flavours and fine company.

The winter events begin with The Signature & Museum Release Tasting Lunch on Friday, June 14.

Held in the Signature Cellar, this is an intimate tasting experience hosted by former chief winemaker Louisa Rose.

Guests can enjoy a three-course lunch from Vintners Bar & Grill chef Peter Clarke with paired wines including the new release The Signature 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz along with a previews of the 2025 museum releases.

The SALA Festival at Yalumba runs in August.

South Australia’s Living Artists (SALA) will hold two exhibitions in the Wine Room.

First, the Vintners Art Prize - an annual collaboration with Vintners Bar & Grill - showcases local talent with artworks exploring themes of food, wine, and place. Open to residents and workers of the Barossa and Light Regional Council areas, entries close July 18, with the winner announced on July 23.

There will also be a solo showcase by Yalumba’s own Lisa Tekell. Inspired by Australian fauna and flora, Lisa’s finely detailed oil paintings are connected to the natural world.

Her works this year focus on native flowers in full bloom, as seen in her travels, and will be on 
display throughout the month. Book a wine tasting and explore these local works at the same time.

Winter Wine & Whisky at Yalumba will run on August 8-9 and is a mid-winter celebration of flavour, fire, and craft at Yalumba - including the release of a new Smith’s Angaston Whisky.

Guests can enjoy a guided tasting of the new limited-edition whisky along with a behind-the-scenes look at the Hill-Smith family's historic pot still and fistillery and live cooperage demonstrations with barrels being hand-charred for whisky maturation.

Acoustic music on the Terrace and a hearty fireside meal by Howard’s Fire will also be on offer.

Tickets include a glass of Yalumba wine, the whisky tasting, and a meal.

The Yalumba Wine Room is open daily 10am-5pm at 40 Eden Valley Road, Angaston.
Bookings recommended. www.yalumba.com

Time for winter reds to take centre stage

There's a growing chill in the air and red wines are ready to take centre stage. 

The Adelaide Hills wine region is gearing up for its annual Winter Reds festival from July 25-27 and has named cuddly TV food personality Matt Preston as the event's official ambassador. 

Winter Reds is a 15-year fixture over the last weekend of July, when it highlights "red wine, great food, warm fires, and conviviality". 

“We are genuinely delighted to have Matt Preston joining us for our Winter Reds weekend this July," says winemaker Alex Trescowthick, president of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region. 

"Matt understands the nuances of high-quality wines as well as he does exquisite food. 

"He also appreciates things which are grown and made locally. What we love most about Matt is that when he enjoys something, he expresses it heartily and with warmth - which is exactly what Winter Reds is all about.”

“The Winter Reds festival is an opportunity to get together with friends, rug up, and explore our winter wonderland, where our cool-climate red wines shine. From pinot Noir to shiraz, gamay, tempranillo, nebbiolo, and beyond, there’s so much to discover in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region.”

Preston (above) will host a special lunch at LOT.100, where a selection of local red wines will be enjoyed and discussed with wine writer Tony Love, a local Hills resident. 

Preston says: “South Australia does festivals, and wine, like no other state. And that’s why I am excited to be the Adelaide Hills Winter Reds ambassador for 2025. I love a red wine from cool-climate. They are special because they are more elegant, have great varietal expression, and last in the cellar longer; that is, if you can don’t drink them all first.”

The full line-up of over 50 Winter Reds events at venues and cellar doors across the Adelaide Hills are live now at www.adelaidehillswine.com.au/events/winter-reds

Top image: Ben McMahon

Cruise is back with a bang - and new Australian flavours

 

A celebrity hangout that often boasts the best view in Sydney has reopened after extensive renovations.

Cruise Bar & Restaurant at the Overseas Passenger Terminal offers front-row views of the Sydney Opera House and ferries heading to Circular Quay has just reopened after months of work and boasts it is "arriving with a whole new look, feel, and flavour." 

A hangout for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Justin Beiber and members of Fleetwood Mac, Cruise has been reimagined by award-winning design firm Luchetti Krelle.

So think great vistas (except when a giant cruise ship is docked) a modern Australian menu, and cocktail list showcasing Australian native botanicals.

Head chef Han Chen (ex-Amare, Felix), says his new menu features dishes like bush tomato butter mussels, pan-seared Humpty Doo barramundi with macadamia cream, and confit duck risotto with butternut squash and crispy saltbush.

The Grande Cruise Seafood Tower showcases freshly shucked Royal Miyagi oysters, Australian prawns, scallop ceviche, and scallop mousse zucchini flowers.

The drinks list from Tom Bulmer (Margaret, O Bar, Jane) highlights creations like Lilly Flower with raspberry, lilly pilly, Casamigos tequila, and hibiscus, while the Afternoon Fashion reinvents a classic Old Fashioned with croissant-washed whisky and toasted wattle seed.



Taking over the top floor is Melba’s Rooftop, a new events space named for Dame Nellie Melba - and the namesake of a storied Australian cargo ship.

“Sydney has changed a lot in the past decade, but there’s always been a place for a venue like Cruise,” says general manager John Harvey. “It’s got history, it’s got views that stop you in your tracks, and now it’s got an elevated experience to match.

“We’ve carefully curated an offering that reflects Sydney’s evolving food and drink culture. From the menu to the design, every detail has been considered to create an experience that feels fresh, exciting, and uniquely Cruise.

"This isn’t just a comeback - it’s a statement, and we can’t wait to welcome Sydney back.”

For more details and to view the full menu, see www.cruisebar.com.au

Cruise and Melba’s are a part of the C!NC hospitality group. Discover more at c-inc.com.au.

Your chance to join chef Rick Stein for a culinary experience

Rick Stein is a hugely popular chef and TV personality with a global following.

He'll be hosting a pair of coastal culinary events at Bannisters Hotels in Mollymook and Port Stephens this August.

The events will be hosted by Rick and his wife Sas Stein and aim to showcase his expertise and experience from decades of food journeys.

Guests will have the option of staying at boutique coastal luxury accommodation at Bannisters by the Sea or Bannisters Pavilion in Mollymook, or Bannisters Port Stephens as part of the events.

Rick Stein’s Unsung Heroes of Seafood, Bannisters Port Stephens will run on Wednesday and August 13-14.

Guests can experience a flavour-packed escape and taste the underrated stars of the sea. This two-day experience is promoted as being "perfect for curious food lovers and fans of exceptional seafood". Think, dinner, a masterclass, and even a DJ set from Stein himself.

Epicurean Chapters with Rick Stein, Bannisters Mollymook will be held on August 20-21

This will include Conversations with Rick Stein hosted by Richard Glover with a four-course dinner, and a special Q&A session with Stein about his latest travels at The Jackson Ranch by Bannisters in Bawley Point (transfers to and from the venue included).

Then comes India’s street food on the South Coast, where guests can enjoy an afternoon exploring street food from India, as Stein recounts stories from his adventures to one of his favourite destinations and will host a book signing.

Pricing: Starting from $2,949 twin-share, tickets include exclusive culinary event access as outlined per location, accommodation, breakfast, an exclusive gift and more.

Tickets and details:
Mollymook: https://www.bannisters.com.au/rick-stein-event-mollymook/
Port Stephens: https://www.bannisters.com.au/unsung-seafood-heroes/

Image: Lean Timms

Australia's popular wine and cheese party is back

One of Australia's most successful gourmet events, Mould x Pinot Palooza, is returning in 2025. 

The showcase of outstanding cheeses and stellar pinot noirs from across Australia and New Zealand, will return its food and wine tour to Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth in 2025. 

Bad news, however, for Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart, who miss out this time around. 

These will be the first Mould x Pinot Palooza events since the departure of event founder and guru Dan Sims, so the pressure will be on the Revel Global team to match the excellence of previous years. 

The dates will be May 23-25 at the John Reid Pavilion at the Showgrounds in Brisbane, July 4-5 in Melbourne at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton and August 9-10 at the Silver Jubilee Pavilion at the Claremont Showgrounds  in Perth.

Pre-sales open today for previous party goers with public tickets available from tomorrow. 

Organisers boast: "From the creamiest brie to the stinkiest blue, the prettiest Yarra Pinot and robust Central Otago - we’ve got you covered."

Tickets are $59 plus booking fee and include unlimited tastings at featured stalls, plus a complimentary cooler bag, wine glass and tote.

See https://pinotpalooza.com.au/

Some art with your wine tastings?

The South African wine region of Stellenbosch has become a living canvas as it hosts Southern Africa’s only triennale until April 30.

The Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 is showcasing Ba'zinile - A Rehearsal for Breathing, an artistic journey that weaves through local streets and venues.

This public art exhibition brings together local and international artists whose works invite contemplation about resilience, imagination, and shared humanity.

Visitors can stroll between installations and venues including: 

# From The Vault – Explore curated treasures at the Rupert Museum and Stellenbosch University Museum.
# On the Cusp – Experience contemporary works at Oude Libertas.
# In the Current – Engage with art that speaks to our present moment at Oude Libertas.
# BIOSCOPE Film Festival – Visual storytelling that transcends borders.
# IMIZWA Embodied Interventions – Watch art come alive through performance.
# ABALOZI Sonic Mappings – Experience the intersection of sound and space.

You can also enjoy jazz nights, a harvest festival and choir performances.

Spier Wine Farm, meanwhile, will be transformed into a nocturnal gallery from March 21 to April 21.

Spier Light Art invites guests to wander through 16 illuminated installations that weave art, light and landscape.

This free family event begins at dusk and can be combined with with sunset picnics and bubbles under the stars.

Read more about this illuminating experience